Haemoglobin F (HbF) - alkali denaturation

Last updated: Monday, 06, August, 2007

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Item Process
Specimen

5 mL blood in EDTA tube.

Method

Lysate of washed red cells; HbF is resistant to denaturation at alkaline pH; HPLC.

Reference Interval

Consult pathologist.

Neonate: 60-80%
Infant
6 months: 7% (range 2.7-13%)
1 year: 2%  (range 1.3-5%)

Adult: <1%.

Application

Diagnosis and characterisation of the thalassaemias.

Interpretation

Increased levels in ß thalassaemias (particularly ðß-thalassaemia) and hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin.

Normal levels in the a thalassaemias.

See also Haemoglobin F - Kleihauer test and Haemoglobin electrophoresis.

Reference

Working Party of the General Haematology Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Br J Haematol  1998; 101: 783-792.